The regular season has ended and now we are into the exciting final 16.
With many changes occurring, including the drop of the former super team Viper, the season has been very shaken up with no real clear favourite any more.
Also, with one league having four clans drop from it, the advancement to the playoffs becomes more interesting because not only top four will be advancing now
[READMORELINKDOTS]
Season Recap and Comparison:
Division 1:
My Predicted Final 4
LKC
BuzZ
VN
LobosR
Actual Final 4
VN
LobosR
LKC
_XJL_
Three out of four is not too bad ^_^ Considering I had no idea who XJL was before this season I think that I was fairly accurate. This division turned out to be quite competitive with many good teams having a chance to advance. The only team that I got wrong was BuzZ who gets to go to the playoffs anyway because of the amazing amount of teams dropping in division 2. Their hopes for the title stay alive. VN impressively finished on top of the division playing all of their games and only losing 2 of the 14 games. From what has been seen so far, VN and LobosR are tough teams to beat and have a chance to get deep into the playoff rounds, but do not count out LKC the former runnerups and _XJL_ the china powerhouse.
Division 2:
My Predicted Final 4:
Immortals
PiA
wKBr
TDK
Actual Final 4:
PiA
AOKI
TOAO
----
Only one of four right here. But, to be fair, ALL BUT THREE TEAMS DROPPED FROM THIS DIVISION. This was a real big shame to see. If you are going to sign up to play in a league then play your games. If you aren't going to have the time to do it then do not make the promise to do it. PiA finished on top winning all but one of the games that they played. I can see PiA competing in further rounds but as far as AOKI and TOAO go, I do not see them advancing past round 1. Shame to see four teams drop out in a seven team league. Pathetic.
Division 3:
My Predicted Final 4
Viper
DyT
SlipKn0T
_Arg
Actual Final 4
SlipKn0T
_Arg
DyT
[CL's]
Again I got 3 of the four right and the only one I got wrong was Viper, who dropped out of the league out of nowhere with only a couple games remaining in the pre playoffs But SlipKn0T is looking very good as is _Arg, both only losing one game in the 12 played. DyT and [CL's] trailed behind a bit but could perhaps pull of an upset in the playoffs. After what I have seen though, I think SlipKn0T could make a run for the finals.
Division 4:
My Predicted Final 4
RoR
UsK
LKC B
wW
Actual Final 4
wW
RoR
UsK
LKC B
100% Aha, I got all the teams right in this one ^_^ What I never could have guessed though was that wW would absolutely dominate the division and finish undefeated in preplayoffs! With the calibre of team that they are fielding I expect them to get to the semifinals no problem and perhaps to the finals. The other 3 teams that advanced also looked pretty good, but the only team I can see going far is RoR and maybe UsK. I do not think the LKC B team has the power to get too far.
So my previous preseason predictions for the winners of the whole thing were
#1 - Viper
#2 - Immortals
#3 - RoR
Since that is now impossible I guess I will be rooting for RoR :D
---
Playoff Round 1 Predictions
wW v _EA_ - No contest, will be (2-0) wW
_XJL_ v LKC - Good match-up, I believe this one will produce some GG's. My guess is (1-2) LKC win.
PiA v BuzZ - BuzZ not looking good enough this season, I expect PiA to be able to win (2-0)
DyT v VN - VN is really OP so far, I think (0-2) unless DyT can do something amazing.
SlipKn0T v [CL's] - Again, no contest. (2-0) Slippy.
AOKI v LobosR - Although this looks to be rather close, I believe LobosR has no problem here and wins (0-2)
TOAO v RoR - Interesting that this is in round one for personal reasons 11. RoR wins (0-2)
UsK v _Arg - Maybe a more interesting match than people think, but I still would guess _Arg win (0-2)[/color]
---
A big Thank You to all the teams that participated this year, both those that made the cut and those that did not. And a BIGGER thank you to those teams that played their games and stuck with it for the whole season. It is very appreciated and you are helping keep AoC alive and fun.
Stay watching to see who wins it all and feel free to post comments about why I am wrong and everything 11
Take Care everyone,
Good luck and Happy Playing!
~Nainai